Jewish Activism Summer School

The Jewish Activism Summer School is a program of the Universität Potsdam. We are It is a non-partisan project, unaffiliated with any political party. We , that seeks to expand young adults’ ptheir personal desire to become responsible and engaged members of their communities and and to strengthen their young adults’ intuitive urge to give back to their communities and to work toward social change (also) in their environment/community. JASS hopes to encourages participants to identify and implement effective solutions, to become social entrepreneurs, oriented by traditional and new interdisciplinary wisdom that will shape their communal obligations, both spiritual and political. The program aims to inform participants about already-existing ways to effectively address collective challenges on local, national and global levels. At JASS we will consider and compare historical methods and strategies, look at current best practices, for ways to take thoughtful action, whether as laypeople, workers in NGOs or companies, initiators of projects, artists, scientists, leaders and citizens.

The 3-week JASS program immerses participants in the world of activism through a diverse sequence of mini-courses and seminars; visits to local community and social activism organizations; vdiscrete volunteer opportunities. Combination summer school, beit midrash, think tank, innovation laboratory and collective self-help group, we are looking to inspire, support, inform, challenge, experiment, rededicate.

Course leader

JASS was founded and is directed by Professor Jonathan Schorsch (Chair for Jewish Religious and Intellectual History, Universität Potsdam).

Target group

JASS accepts young adults, aged 18-35, from across the world. Europeans make up our prime target audience. Only 25 participants will be admitted.

Course aim

Study Jewish texts, philosophies and the history of Jewish and general activism

Learn effective skills and strategies for social activism

Experience social activism in practice through visits with local organizations and projects

Share personal motivations for and experience in social activism

Develop self-knowledge, strengthen your identity and join a growing network of like-minded peers

Fee info

EUR 650: Fees cover tuition, housing, courses, activities and some meals (shabbat, several pre-planned cooking/eating events)

Scholarships

There are 5 full scholarships available for Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk (ELES) Scholars.

Tuition subsidies will be available for participants according to need.